Page 136 of Rumi: The Hawthornes

“Of course you are,” I murmured in his ear. “You’re the best man I know.”

“Only because of you,” he whispered, pressing his face into my neck.

It didn’t take long before Rumi was covering my mouth as I came. He followed me over the edge less than a minute later.

“Jesus,” he groaned, rolling to the side so he wouldn’t crush me. “You okay? Your ribs?”

“They’re fine,” I replied, rolling toward him to lay my head on his shoulder. The stress of the day had finally eased a little, and I was suddenly completely exhausted.

“We’ll go get the license tomorrow, yeah?” he asked, running his fingers up and down my spine. “In the mornin’ so you can spend the rest of the day with Ash.”

“Sounds good.” I was asleep just seconds later.

When I woke up the next morning, I was dressed in pajamas again and Rumi was no longer in bed with me. The bedroom door was open and I could hear voices coming from the front of the house. Attempting to tame my hair, I moved toward the noise.

“Hey,” I said in surprise when I saw who’d come to visit.

“Lookin’ better than the last time I saw ya,” Grease said, coming over to give me a hug. “Except for that bruise on your neck.”

“What?” I asked in confusion, lifting my hand to my neck.

“Nice hickey,” Tommy’s uncle Will said, his lips twitching.

“Goddammit, Rumi,” I said in exasperation, glaring at him across the room.

“Sorry, sugar,” he said with a laugh.

“Ew,” Bird said from his place at the table.

“Figured your nana would want to spend her day with you kids,” Dragon said, nodding at me. “So we decided to stop by this mornin’.”

“You didn’t have to stop by,” Nana said, waving him off. “You’re all doing enough.”

“We take care of family,” Dragon said firmly.

“Samson’s gone,” Nana said faintly, and Dragon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You’refamily, Ash,” he barked, the words almost angry.

“You’re sucha fuckin’ charmer,” Casper griped, shaking his head. “Ash, you and the kids are family. End of story, yeah?”

“Even more so now,” Tommy said, looking at his son. “Rumi and Nova are gettin’ married.”

I froze in place, my eyes on Tommy as the kitchen erupted. He winked, and I knew he’d just publically given his blessing.

“You’re getting married?” Bird said excitedly around the donut in his mouth. “Awesome!”

Rumi and I were congratulated with hugs and slaps on the back and the entire time Nana watched with a small smile on her face. With the news that Rumi and I were engaged, the protection of the Aces had just solidified.

“When are you getting married?” Bird asked.

“Soon,” Rumi said, walking over to me. “Gettin’ the license this mornin’. You wanna go get ready.”

“Don’t rush me,” I snapped.

Rumi laughed. “I thought you wanted to go get it this mornin’?”

“Right,” I muttered. I waved at the assembled group and walked back toward the bedroom.

---